Sunday
Join us for worship in the Sanctuary at 10:30am as we partake in communion together (note: crackers are gluten free)! Our scripture this week is Philippians 3:12-16. The nursery will be open as usual for our toddlers and babies. Please note that because this will be the first Sunday of the month, our kids five years old and up will join us in the Sanctuary for service. In lieu of our regular youth gathering, all youth can join the church in taking down the greens. The Prayer team will be available at the front of the sanctuary toward the end of the service to pray with those who would like to receive prayer.
Join us after service this Sunday, January 5th, for the Taking Down of the Greens as we pack away our Christmas decorations and get our Sanctuary ready for the new year. First, we’ll have lunch together provided by the church (email Pastor Lindsay if you have dietary restrictions). Then, we’ll pack things away in labeled boxes in the tower room near the Lobby. We hope you can stay for this fun communal experience!
Winter Sunday School
Winter Sunday School classes start a week from Sunday (January 12th-February 23rd)! Click here to register for these special options! Let Pastor Lindsay know if you need childcare—thanks!
“The Beloved Community: Building God’s Vision for Racial Justice” with John Williams and Nancy Stiles: This class explores a biblical approach to racial justice and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s concept of the Beloved Community. Participants will examine a scriptural framework for confronting racism and reflect on how their social location influences their views on racial justice. We will define individual, systemic, and internalized racism while discussing biblical perspectives on reconciliation, equity, and justice. Through honest dialogue and reflection, we aim to seek ways to embody Gospel values in our racially diverse world. Located in the Parlor.
“Teachings of Jesus” with Jerry Brown: Jerry has extensive knowledge of the words of Jesus and themes throughout the gospels. He comes well-prepared each week with handouts and information ready for those eager to learn about Jesus' teachings and some of the core tenets of our faith. Located in the Southside Room.
“Doing Life with your Adult Children” with Rich and Kris Laski: Over the course of our lives, we will spend more time with our kids after they become adults than when they were children. This class will be structured around the Jim Burns book Doing Life With Your Adult Children - Keep Your Mouth Shut & The Welcome Mat Out. As parents of six adult children, we will be discussing relationship realities. This class is intended to spark meaningful discussions that will hopefully be helpful for any parent with adult children or any adult child with parents. Located in Room 214.
Coming Up
Pastor John Jay and Corrie are leading an 8-week marriage class beginning Wednesday, January 8th, at 6:30pm. They will be working through the book Hold Me Tight. The class is currently full, but stay tuned for another round of classes in future months.
Pastor Leslie welcomes new vocalists starting January 8th if you’re interested in joining the FBCP Choir musical fun. There is a special need for baritone/bass voices. Rehearsals happen on Wednesdays from 7-8:30pm. Email Pastor Leslie if you are available and interested.
Join us on Saturday, January 11th, at 9am for our quarterly Men’s Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall. John Williams, special guest and ministry partner from The Center for Restorative Justice, will share with our group, and you won’t want to miss! Text “bacon” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP.
Help give the gift of life at our American Red Cross Blood Drive on Sunday, January 12th, in a mobile clinic parked on Holly St. from 9am-3pm. Schedule an appointment here: January 12th Blood Drive Sign-up (NOTE: Be sure to sign up for the one in Pasadena located at 75 N Marengo Ave). Thanks for considering this life-saving event!
You’re invited to our Basics Lunch after worship on Sunday, January 12th, in the Southside Room. Whether you have been at FBCP for a short period or you would like to be baptized, become a member, or simply learn more about our church, our Basics Lunch covers all the main information about our denomination, history and an opportunity to ask a pastor any questions you may have. We hope that you can stay and get to know a few other folks. Text “basics” to 626.727.9498 to RSVP.
Join us for our next Passive-Aggressive Pickleball Group practice at 7pm on Sunday, January 12th, in the Gym off Union St. Bring a sweater and water, and text “pickle” to 626.727.9498 if you haven’t already. Email Tim with questions. We have paddles and balls available to use.
We invite the De-Escalation Team to lunch on Sunday, January 19th, after worship in the Southside Room. We’ll continue our discussion on how to best serve the pastors and church during Sunday morning worship. Let Gaby know if you’re part of the team but cannot make it.
The Church Organized for Work
The Friends In Deed food pantry item this week is cereal.
The Homeless Count is coming up! Pasadena Partnership coordinates resources to end homelessness in our community. Every January they do a headcount on the streets to plan for what they need more accurately, a critical step in securing funding. Anyone wishing to help can register here by this Sunday, January 5th so you can attend a zoom training on January 15th and be ready for the count on January 22-23. Select “yes” for the group option and write in “Chip Barabas” under team leader so we can be together as a group!
Born out of the Pastor's Pod of the Clergy Community Coalition, local faith leaders are coming together to host a Palestine/Israel Film Screening series from January to June. This five-film series will offer local Christians across denominations an opportunity to grow together in understanding, prayer, and action in response to the deep suffering and injustices experienced by people in the Holy Land. We especially want to understand the history of what led up to both the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, and the retaliation of Israel over the last year, and learn how we can respond as Christians. FBCP is hosting the first month's film screening. Join us in the FBCP Chapel on January 17th at 7 PM for a screening of "The Stones Cry Out: Voices of the Palestinian Christians," followed by communal prayer and discussion. The series is sponsored by the Clergy Community Coalition, the Center for Restorative Justice, and Brehm Film of Fuller Seminary, and is hosted by different Pasadena churches. Register here: bit.ly/palestinefilmseries
Regular-ish Happenings
Yarn Crafts Group | Sun. 1/5 after worship | Parlor
Marriage Class | Wed. 1/8-2/26 at 6:30pm | John Jay’s Office
Winter Sunday School | Sun. 1/12-2/23 at 9am
Passive-Aggressive Pickleball | Sun. 1/12 at 7pm | Gym
Six Weeks at a Glance
1/5 - Taking Down the Greens
1/5 - Sign-up Deadline for Homeless Count
1/11 - Men’s Breakfast
1/12 - Winter Sunday School Begins
1/12 - Mobile Blood Drive
1/12 - Basics Class
1/17 - Palestine/Israel Film Screening
1/19 - De-Escalation Team Lunch
1/24 - Community Dinners
1/26 - Prayer for Global Servants
1/26 - Lunch for Newer Folks
1/29 - Happy Lunar New Year
1/31-2/2 - Winter Youth Retreat
2/8 - Women’s Brunch
2/16 - FBCPride Group Lunch
Grace and peace to you as we head into the weekend. We can’t wait to worship with you in our sanctuary on Sunday!
Less without you,
The FBCP Community
P.S. First Baptist Church of Pasadena has weekly worship services on Sundays at 10:30am at 75 N. Marengo Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101. If you’re driving in, we invite you to park at 150 E Holly St and bring in your ticket to the lobby for validation. We are also a block away from the Memorial Park Station on the A Line. Contact the office with questions.
